The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball team defeated the App State Mountaineers 2-1 on Thursday morning in Troy, Alabama. The win keeps the Cajuns season alive in the Sun Belt Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana (29-24) went with freshman Mallory Wheeler in the circle. Wheeler worked efficiently but gave up a two-out triple. She was able to strand that runner, however, posting an opening zero.
App State (23-27) countered with Sophie Moshos. Moshos also gave up a two-out hit. However, much like Wheeler, she stranded the runner to keep the game 0-0 after one frame.
This game quickly turned into a pitcher’s duel, with both starters settling in quickly. As a matter of fact, there was not a runner that reached scoring position until the bottom half of the fifth inning. In that half-inning, the Cajuns got back-to-back two out singles to have runners at the corners with Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Emily Smith up. However, Moshos forced a pop-up to get out of the frame with no damage done.
In the top half of the seventh, the first run was finally scored. Leah Gore launched a solo homer to right-center, putting App State up 1-0.
The Cajuns would be down to their final out with no one on in the bottom of the seventh. However, back-to-back hits and a walk loaded the bases. Then, Sam Roe came through with a walk-off RBI double to advance the Cajuns and keep their season alive.
BIG NUMBER: 1
Mallory Wheeler was excellent in this game, giving up just one run in seven innings of work. It took until the bottom half for her offense to back her up, but it was her pitching that kept the Cajuns in the game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Sam Roe
The senior was not satisfied with a quarterfinal exit. She delivered the clutch walk-off double to give the Cajuns a 2-1 win and keep them moving into the semifinals of the tournament.
UP NEXT: The Cajuns will advance to the semifinals of the SBC Tournament on Friday, May 9th at 4:00 PM. They face the winner of Marshall and Coastal Carolina.